trail name "Chip" seeing me excited and enthusiastic after first time seeing Chipmunks. About a month later I met another guy named Chip, and his wife, Katryna, changed my name to "Chocolate Chip". So it doesn't really have anything to do with my chocolate craziness...

(6) What did you dream of when things weren’t going well?

My bed.

(7) Did you experience anything miraculous?

Trail magics. Whoever knows what I am talking about would understand ;)

(8) Any memorable encounters with the elements, or wildlife?

Baby bear. You really need to stop yourself from running forward and hugging that creature.

(9) Think back to your “pre-hike self.” Now think of yourself here at the end. Has anything changed?

I expected to get a boost for my ego, and found myself giving up on that whenever I can achieve things that exist out of my brain.

(10) Now that you are off the trail, what do you miss most about it?

The moment you wake up and realize every morning again again, how lucky you are to be here.

(11) Before you started, what were you most afraid of?

Bad luck (including rattlesnake bites).

(12) Now that you are finished, what are you most afraid of?

Losing meaningful life goals.

(13) What’s the difference between life on the trail and life off the trail?

People trust strangers on trail. When I get off trail I became disappointed by seeing people who tend to "beware of strangers". But thanks to the trail I got some extra faith in humanity.

(14) Would you like to add anything else?

1. Many people find it hard, mentalwise, to hike the PCT. It does have a difficulty, but once I made a decision that I am doing it because I love the whole journey as a complex, it was mostly a physical struggle (surely possible). And every moment on trail was precious. (Even the aqueduct section in the desert!).

2. I am also known as the world's best hitch hiker, but that would be for another interview ;)